They say that if you love what you do for work, then it's not work. That's certainly the case when we get to buy goodies in France and Italy for the store and gallery here in Atlanta and for our Paris-based design projects. How did we get so lucky?
We are like a well-oiled machine when we are in "buy mode". Our heads are on swivels with a laser beam focus looking for the unusual, the different, the quirky and the drop-dead gorgeous. We'll split up (not that often) and when we come back together, we discover we've both been scoping out the same thing. Talk about team work.
We've certainly had our share of picks that we were 100% sure would fly out of the store or gallery in one minute...and then didn't. But that's half the fun of buying: you just have to trust your heart and your gut and the rest will work itself out.
Here are some favorites from over the years:
This was the most incredible Louis XVI-style "sauteuse" chest with a peeling, crunchy, perfectly patinated Chinoiserie detailing and a marble top. We made a beeline for it in the pouring rain and scooped it up. It didn't last long on the floor once we got it home.
This stripped 19th century table stopped us in our tracks. Not only was it the perfect round size but it was intricately made in perfectly aligning sections. The workmanship was enough to make you cry. It ended up in a fancy mountain in Colorado.
We're always on the lookout for anything rattan or bamboo. This darling bamboo settee from the early 1900s was so sweet and charming, we simply couldn't resist. Sure enough, a designer snapped it up days after it arrived at the store.
Art always has our hearts. This precious (and beautifully painted) late-1800s dog portrait was tucked away on very unnoticeable wall in a dealers-only warehouse. We noticed it but the vendor was nowhere to be found and we were in a hurry, so we passed. But...we couldn't get this sweet pup out of our heads. The next time Ann was there (months later!), the painting was still hanging and the vendor was there. Le chien made its way to Atlanta where it was scooped up about ten minutes after we unpacked it.
Speaking of dogs, this elegant pair of art deco dogs also made their way to Atlanta where we featured them in our of our ads.
This was an outtake from one of our photoshoots, but there's the dog!
We were dying over these very mossy and cool Willy Guhl planters that held the most adorable concrete snails, also covered in gorgeous moss. We paid top dollar for them from a vendor in Paris - but you should have seen them when they arrived in Atlanta. Dried up, brown and very sad! Note to self: the moss won't make the trip over the pond.
We bought this classically elegant piece from one of our very favorite vendors who has the most exquisite eye.
Another painting that tugged at our heartstrings.
Don't ask us why, but pitchforks had quite a moment back in 2017!
Look at this portrait. Simply no words for its beauty. This madame looks formidable and a force to be reckoned with. We've always wondered who she was.
We had to have this iron bulldog because we live in UGA territory. Sure enough, a wife bought it for her University of Georgia alumni hubby.
Luckily, we have a brand-new shipment of treasures that just landed at our warehouse and we're in the process of bringing them over to the store.
Here are some new arrivals:
A charming walnut side table with a brass gallery rail from the 1920s. Sorry, poochie not included.
This stunning carved Italian console dates back to the late 1700's. It's stunning.
We're suckers for Louis Philippe commodes (chests) made from beautiful burled walnut and happily, several have arrived, including this pretty one:
How about a pair of vintage bamboo and rush armchairs?
Here they are in the store.
You can check out all the goodies from France right here - and we're delighted to say each and every piece makes our hearts race and brings a smile to our faces.
Ta ta.
